EVESHAM United suffered their heaviest defeat of the season in a 7-1 thrashing at Sholing despite taking an early lead.

Carl Brown opened the scoring on six minutes in the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West clash, glancing home Will Gayton’s free-kick.

But Sholing pulled level through top-scorer Lee Wort after 13 minutes and two minutes later the same player fired the Boatmen ahead.

Marcus Palmer forced Sholing keeper Matt Brown to save at the start of the second-half but, just before the hour mark, Wort completed his hat-trick.

The dangerous Marvin McLean then set up Barry Mason, who shot beyond keeper Tom Cross, and on 68 minutes Tyronne Bowers made it five.

Sholing, who are quitting the league at the end of the season for financial reasons, then added two more before the final whistle.

Lewis Fennemore converted at the back post and then another McLean cross was stabbed in by Peter Castle.

United struck the woodwork and Matt Brown twice saved from Palmer in the final stages but it was too little too late as Sholing gained ample revenge for their opening-day 1-0 defeat at the Spiers and Hartwell Jubilee Stadium.

Evesham: Cross, Wilson (Hands 75), Mansell, Sysum, Jackson, Hyde, Downing, Corbett, Palmer, Brown (Gould 82), Gayton (Jones 42). Subs not used: Hitchman, Blake.

Attendance: 92.